Carla Berube's Vision Takes Shape at Northwestern
Carla Berube, the veteran coach who guided Princeton to a 26‑4 record last season, has taken the helm of the Northwestern Wildcats, bringing a proven winning pedigree to Evanston. Her arrival signals a shift toward a more disciplined, up‑tempo style of play that the program hopes will translate into consistent Big Ten contention.
The Wildcats will enter the 2026‑27 campaign without four of Joe McKeown’s top six contributors, including graduates Grace Sullivan, Caroline Lau and Tate Lash, while Tayla Thomas has moved on to Minnesota. Those departures leave sizable shoes to fill, particularly in scoring and defensive versatility.
Depth and Experience
To address the void, Berube has secured a quartet of transfers: Camdyn Nelson arrives from Syracuse, bringing defensive versatility; Lily Carmody, a prolific scorer from Boston College, joins the backcourt; Lexi Blue, a Sweet Sixteen standout at Kentucky, adds experience; and Jasmyn Cooper‑Derba, also from Syracuse, is expected to assume a larger role. Each player offers a distinct skill set that could reshape the team's dynamics.
The new roster will see competition for minutes, especially with Xamiya Walton, a returning guard, battling for a starting spot alongside the incoming talent. Early practices suggest a healthy mix of youthful energy and seasoned poise, with the coaching staff emphasizing chemistry over individual star power.
Berube emphasizes a balanced approach, blending the fresh legs of the transfers with the program’s tradition of disciplined play, aiming to contend in the Big Ten and beyond. The excitement among fans and alumni is palpable, as the team looks to build on the momentum generated by last season’s strong finish and return the Wildcats to the upper echelon of collegiate women's basketball.